A Moment of Clarity: Time to act for Wisconsin Rapids is now

Ever consider the idea that now is the time to act? Well, act on what, you may ask? Well, everything. If the recent elections have taught me anything, it's that so many resources and time tend to be wasted on the truly unimportant. Billions of dollars wasted on the endless struggle over the question that we should or shouldn't provide accessible health care, strong education, and put more money in the pockets of those who truly need it. However, we do - and it's along these faded partisan lines that we, as a nation, continue to fail.

It's common sense, really.

You don't work for a company based in India, so why would you send jobs there to work for a company based in the United States? We embrace the term "energy efficient" in many aspects of our lives and products that we use daily, and yet there are actually arguments over dropping fossil fuels entirely?

Scotland will be using 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2020, yet we have politicians in office who have probably never seen a solar panel in their lives. We acknowledge that education is a fundamental importance to our very future, and we tell our kids every day to get good grades and not to skip class, yet we stumble over the basic concept of providing the best education, teachers and expectations because "it's costly".

Last but not least - we are a first world country, with the ability to open our garage doors from a cell phone from an airplane, yet we struggle to come to an agreement on making sure every American citizen is properly clothed, fed, and cared for with the best health care, regardless of income class or employment status. This is a no-brainer, right?

Unfortunately, not.

Not much can be said for the general direction of the nation, but that doesn't mean we can't snap out of the mindless haze.

Zack Vruwink (Wisconsin Rapids mayor): I'm calling you out. This can start right here, right now, in Wisconsin Rapids. Granted, I may be ignorant to certain promises made, or projects in motion because I am admittedly out of the loop when it comes to local politics, but I make no apologies for that. We can act, and we can act right now.

Why not bring renewable energy to Wisconsin Rapids? There are millions of dollars in green grants that are unused and could start a renewable energy movement in the river city. Why not try to have Wisconsin Rapids on 100 percent renewable energy by 2020? Rapids is home to Renaissance Learning, and with the promised increases in education, why aren't we putting every bit of energy we can into making sure Wisconsin Rapids turns into one of the most intelligent concentrations of youths in the state with sought-after-education offered by few others in Wisconsin?

Let's not scare away butcher plants, or any other potential industries that we could bring in to pump life into this slowing economy. In fact, let's bring in as much industry as we can to build the strength of not just local business, but jobs that stay in the United States. Let's not avoid local businesses, and try to bring new ones to the area. Wisconsin Rapids has many resources to utilize for many different potential economic revenues and opportunities. Let's not embrace the idea that Wisconsin Rapids is simply becoming a glorified retirement community. The time to act is now. The election is over. Let's move forward. I can't do it alone.

Joseph Bachman is a Wisconsin Rapids resident. A Moment of Clarity appears twice a month.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

A Moment of Clarity: Time to act for Wisconsin Rapids is now

Zack Vruwink, I'm calling you out. First however, a thought or two. Ever consider the idea that now is the time to act? Well, act on what, you may ask? Well, everything.

A link to this page will be included in your message.

Join Our Team!

If you are interested in working for an innovative media company, you can learn more by visiting: